Roger Wilkinson was the major driving force in Waikato football, from his arrival in the mid-80s to take up a full-time post with the newly ambitious Claudelands Rovers, through to the mid-90s.

Roger was sacked as co-coach of the privately-owned Waikato FC - which leased Claudelands Rovers northern premier league berth in 1987 - and then took up the coaching post with cross-town rivals Hamilton AFC. When Waikato United were formed at short notice in 1988 Wilkinson was appointed coach and set about building Waikato as a highly respected force in national league football. Under him Waikato won the Chatham Cup in 1988, third in the national league in 1991, second in 1992 and cup runners-up, 3rd in 1993 (national round of Superclub) - and returned to take Waikato to the 1995 Superclub grand final before going back to the UK. In 1992 he was named NZ coach of the year, and later returned for two seasons with Waikato FC.

Wilkinson was also an influential voice in administrative matters, and was equipped with 'the vision thing". He was also a master salesman,a driven man and great speaker, though ultimately had an Achilles heel of being unable to take enough football people with him. He was Waikato's "Mr Football" for a generation, and though he coached at numerous clubs before and after - and worked for the national body as well - Waikato United was his major legacy at club level. Roger probably did more to shape the game in the Waikato in the modern era than anyone.

ABOVE: 1988 Chatham Cup celebrations: from left, Waikato captain Dave Merritt, Chris (Taffy) Roberts, Gary Dillistone and Laurence Fitzpatrick. Waikato won the cup in their first year of existence. Has anybody ever done that before, or since? Waikato won, controversially, on the away goals rule in a 2-leg final, drawing 2-2 with cup aristocrats Christchurch United away, and 1-1 at home. It was the last time the cup was contested over two legs. Plenty of faces to recognise in the background as well, including Ron White, the Waikato Football Association secretary who held the post for over 50 years (top left of Merritt's head) and Warwick Gendall, then chairman of the NZFA (top right of Dillistone's head). In the days after the final Gendall questioned whether Waikato were worthy winners seeing as they hadn't won either of the final matches. That prompted White to fire up at the NZFA AGM shortly afterwards, telling Gendall he hadn't scrubbed up in the chairman's job.

1988 Waikato United team photo

PAUL "ARCHIE" GEMMELL, MUIR PARK LEGEND: From left, 1982, 1988, 1991, and 1996 (a photoshoot done to publicise his testimonial evening at the end of a major career). Gemmell was, like Gary Dillistone and Mark Cossey, one of the players who played national league for both Hamilton AFC and Waikato United. Gemmell joined Hamilton from Claudelands Rovers in 1980. Gemmell also played national league for Manurewa in the mid 80s, and West Adelaide. His Waikato stats: 231 games (the most of anyone) 6 goals.Read obituary for Archie HERE.

GARY DILLISTONE: From left, late 70s, 1989, 1990, 1992. Gary played for both Hamilton AFC and Waikato United and his 182 appearances for The Bulls would have been even greater but for a string of injuries (though he just as often played while winged). Dillistone, a Hamilton Boys' High product, also had a spell with Napier. An astute student of the game, it was a shame he never went into coaching. Was renowned for his ability to see the down side of things, and was reputed to smile less than Mr Spock, but was a straight talker and part of the inner sanctum of the Waikato United team.

Stuart Girvan was an important figure in the formation of Waikato United, straddling playing, coaching and administrative functions as Hamilton AFC and Claudelands Rovers formulated a jojnt strategy to bring national league back to the Waikato after an absence of five years in 1988.

As a right back Girvan played 32 games for Waikato in 1988-89, while at the same time he was president of Claudelands Rovers and briefly took over from Barry Simmonds as Rovers coach as well.

Cup final ticket for Muir Park. The occasion drew one of the bigger crowds seen at the park.

Gary Dillistone was one of the heroes of Waikato United's away Chatham Cup semifinal victory over Wellington United. This photo of the champagne flowing was taken at Hamilton Airport when they arrived home. That's Steve Tate kissing him, and Darrne Melville on the left. Clinched a final berth for a Waiakto team for the first time in 26 years.

Graham Jones was a founder player with Waikato United, a dynamic midfielder who played over 100 matches - having already played over 100 games with Nelson. He was 21 when he singed for Waikato in 1988 (pictured), but had been a New Zealand Under 19 representative. The rascal haircut was de rigeur for the era. Still playing lower league football with Melville United in 2013.

BELOW: Graham Jones again. Chatham Cup final 1988, away leg, and Waikato have just taken the lead over Christchurch United with a Lance Bauerfiend goal. It has somehow escaped Jonah that everyone else is having a big group hug. He jogs back to halfway.

Chris "Taffy" Roberts was one of the most cultured left backs we've ever seen in the Waikato, and had a chest like a ripped sofa, to quote one of his contemporaries. (Mug shots are from 1988 and 1995.) He'd first shipped in to Claudelands Rovers under Roger Wilkinson's watch two years earlier, having been a Manchester United and Welsh youth professional, and a player with Tranmere Rovers. Was 26 in 1988 and in his prime. Returned to the UK, but was back for 1994, 1995 & 1996 season before again exiting.

Ray Pooley (aged about 36 at the time). Pooley was assistant coach for Waikato United in 1988, and 1990, and at various other times. He'd previously been on the coaching and scouting staff of Crystal Palace and Gillingham and been manager of Dover in the Southern League. Went on to coach a host of clubs at northern league level, always most at home in being a No 2 though. Arrived in Hamilton in the mid-80s and formed the Waikato School of Excellence for young footballers, a template later taken up nationally.

Tony McIsaac scored Waikato United's first goal in national league football, midway through the second half away to Christchurch United on April 3, 1988. Waikato lost 1-3.

A local goalscoring legend with Cambridge in the northern league, McIsaac briefly returned to Waikato in 1994, otherwise 1988 was his only other season. (10 appearances, 3 goals (including the Cup)

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